Imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

An imaging apparatus includes a main body having an imaging element; a rectangular display disposed along one surface of the main body; and a hinge unit that movably connects the display to the main body. The hinge unit includes a support portion connected to the main body so as to be rotationally movable about a first axis by a pair of first hinges on the first axis extending along one of two sides of the display which are at right angles to each other. The display is supported by the support portion so as to be rotationally movable about a second axis by a pair of second hinges on the second axis extending along other of the two sides of the display which are at right angles to each other. One of the pair of first hinges is disposed between the pair of second hinges.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/924,815, filed Mar. 19, 2018, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2016/068553 filed on Jun. 22, 2016,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2015-194236 filed on Sep. 30, 2015, the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

As imaging apparatuses in which a live view image is displayed on adisplay disposed along one surface of a main body having an imagingelement, there are known imaging apparatuses which are provided with amovable display, and are configured to be capable of imaging at variousimaging angles of a high angle and a low angle without changing animaging posture.

As shown in FIGS. 31, 32A and 32B, a digital camera disclosed inJP5461738B includes a hinge unit 3 that movably connects a display 2disposed along one surface of a main body 1 to the main body 1.

The hinge unit 3 is connected to the main body 1 so as to berotationally movable about an axis A by a pair of first hinges 4 havinga shaft member, not shown, inserted into a bearing hole 4 a which isprovided to each of the main body 1 and the hinge unit 3. The display 2is supported by the hinge unit 3 so as to be rotationally movable aboutan axis B which is at right angles to the axis A by a pair of secondhinges 5 having a shaft portion 5 b, provided to the display 2, insertedinto a bearing hole 5 a provided in the hinge unit 3.

For example, the display 2 is rotationally moved about the axis Aintegrally with the hinge unit 3 in a horizontal structure in which animaging range extends in a relatively horizontal direction, and thedisplay 2 is independently rotationally moved about the axis B in avertical structure in which an imaging range extends in a relativelyvertical direction. In the case of both the horizontal structure and thevertical structure, the angle of the display 2 can be changed inaccordance with an imaging angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the hinge unit 3 of the digital camera disclosed in JP5461738B, theaxis A along which the pair of first hinges 4 are disposed intersectsthe axis B along the pair of second hinges 5 are provided, at the outerside of the pair of second hinges 5, the pair of first hinges 4 on theaxis A are disposed so as to protrude to the outer side of the display2, and the hinge unit 3 is configured to be larger than the display 2.In a case where a mechanism such as the pair of first hinges 4 isdisposed so as to protrude to the outer side of the display 2 and isexposed to the outward appearance of the digital camera, the design ofthe digital camera is damaged.

The present invention is contrived in view of such circumstances, and anobject thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of reducingthe size of a hinge unit that movably connects a display to a main body.

According to an aspect the present invention, there is provided animaging apparatus comprising: a main body having an imaging element; arectangular display disposed along one surface of the main body; and ahinge unit that movably connects the display to the main body; whereinthe hinge unit includes a support portion connected to the main body soas to be rotationally movable about a first axis by a pair of firsthinges on the first axis extending along one of two sides of the displaywhich are at right angles to each other, the display is supported by thesupport portion so as to be rotationally movable about a second axis bya pair of second hinges on the second axis extending along the other ofthe two sides of the display which are at right angles to each other,and one of the pair of first hinges is disposed between the pair ofsecond hinges.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided an imaging apparatus comprising: a main body having animaging element; a rectangular display disposed along one surface of themain body; and a hinge unit that movably connects the display to themain body; wherein the hinge unit includes a first support portionconnected to the main body so as to be rotationally movable about afirst axis by a pair of first hinges on the first axis extending alongone of two sides of the display which are at right angles to each other,and a second support portion connected to the first support portion soas to be rotationally movable about a second axis parallel to the firstaxis by a pair of second hinges on the second axis biased toward oneside located opposite to one side of the display along which the firstaxis extends with respect to the first axis, the display is supported bythe second support portion so as to be rotationally movable about athird axis by a pair of third hinges on the third axis extending alongthe other of the two sides of the display which are at right angles toeach other, and at least any one of one of the pair of first hinges andone of the pair of second hinges is disposed between the pair of thirdhinges.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size ofa hinge unit that movably connects a display to a main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an example of an imagingapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the rear surface side of the imagingapparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of a display ofthe imaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the displayof the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge unit of the imagingapparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating disposition of a pair offirst hinges and a pair of second hinges of the hinge unit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a trajectory of the hingeunit of FIG. 4A when the hinge unit is rotationally moved about the axisof the pair of second hinges.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a reference example of thedisposition of the pair of first hinges and the pair of second hinges.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating a trajectory of the hingeunit of FIG. 5A when the hinge unit is rotationally moved about the axisof the pair of second hinges.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating another reference example ofthe disposition of the pair of first hinges and the pair of secondhinges.

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating a trajectory of the hingeunit of FIG. 6A when the hinge unit is rotationally moved about the axisof the pair of second hinges.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating another reference example ofthe disposition of the pair of first hinges and the pair of secondhinges.

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram illustrating a trajectory of the hingeunit of FIG. 7A when the hinge unit is rotationally moved about the axisof the pair of second hinges.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a display and a hinge unit which aremodification examples of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the displayof the imaging apparatus of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the displayof the imaging apparatus of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a display and a hinge unit which are othermodification examples of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of arotational movement operating portion of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a display and a hinge unit which areother modification examples of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modification example of the imagingapparatus of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of a first hinge of a hinge unitwhich is another modification example of the imaging apparatus of FIG.1A.

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of a second hinge of the hinge unitwhich is another modification example of the imaging apparatus of FIG.1A.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another modification example of theimaging apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of anengagement member of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of anotherexample of the imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the imagingapparatus of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the imagingapparatus of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge unit of the imagingapparatus of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 19A is a schematic diagram illustrating disposition of a pair offirst hinges, a pair of second hinges and a pair of third hinges of thehinge unit of FIG. 18.

FIG. 19B is a schematic diagram illustrating a trajectory of the hingeunit of FIG. 19A when the hinge unit is rotationally moved about theaxis of the pair of third hinges.

FIG. 20A is a schematic diagram illustrating a reference example of thedisposition of the pair of first hinges, the pair of second hinges andthe pair of third hinges.

FIG. 20B is a schematic diagram illustrating a trajectory of the hingeunit of FIG. 20A when the hinge unit is rotationally moved about theaxis of the pair of third hinges.

FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram illustrating a reference example of thedisposition of the pair of first hinges, the pair of second hinges andthe pair of third hinges.

FIG. 21B is a schematic diagram illustrating a trajectory of the hingeunit of FIG. 21A when the hinge unit is rotationally moved about theaxis of the pair of third hinges.

FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram illustrating a reference example of thedisposition of the pair of first hinges, the pair of second hinges andthe pair of third hinges.

FIG. 22B is a schematic diagram illustrating a trajectory of the hingeunit of FIG. 22A when the hinge unit is rotationally moved about theaxis of the pair of third hinges.

FIG. 23 is a front view of a display and a hinge unit which aremodification examples of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 24A is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the displayof the imaging apparatus of FIG. 23.

FIG. 24B is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the displayof the imaging apparatus of FIG. 23.

FIG. 24C is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the displayof the imaging apparatus of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a side view of a display and a hinge unit which aremodification examples of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a front view of a display and a hinge unit which are othermodification examples of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVII-XXVII in FIG.26.

FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of arotational movement operating portion of FIG. 27A.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a display and a hinge unit which areother modification examples of the imaging apparatus of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another modification example of theimaging apparatus of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 30A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXX-XXX in FIG. 29.

FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of anengagement member of FIG. 30A.

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of an example of an imagingapparatus of the related art.

FIG. 32A is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the displayof the imaging apparatus of FIG. 31.

FIG. 32B is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the displayof the imaging apparatus of FIG. 31.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

-   -   1: digital camera main body    -   2: display    -   3: hinge unit    -   4: first hinge    -   4 a: bearing hole    -   5: second hinge    -   5 a: bearing hole    -   5 b: shaft portion    -   10: digital camera    -   11: imaging element    -   12: main body    -   13: display    -   13 a: long side of display    -   13 b: short side of display    -   13 c: long side of display    -   13 d: short side of display    -   14: hinge unit    -   15: display panel    -   16: cover    -   17: concave portion    -   20: fixed portion    -   21: support portion    -   23: first hinge    -   24: second hinge    -   30: hinge bracket    -   31: hinge bracket    -   32: hinge pin    -   33: hinge bracket    -   34: hinge bracket    -   35: hinge pin    -   40: first rotational movement operating portion    -   41: second rotational movement operating portion    -   50: rotational movement operating portion    -   51: engagement member    -   52: biasing member    -   53: protruding portion    -   60: magnet    -   61: magnet    -   62: magnet    -   70: sliding contact plate    -   71: convex portion    -   72: concave portion    -   73: sliding contact plate    -   74: convex portion    -   75: concave portion    -   80: engagement member    -   81: biasing member    -   110: digital camera    -   114: hinge unit    -   120: fixed portion    -   121: first support portion    -   122: second support portion    -   123: first hinge    -   124: second hinge    -   125: third hinge    -   130: hinge bracket    -   131: hinge bracket    -   132: hinge pin    -   133: hinge bracket    -   134: hinge bracket    -   135: hinge pin    -   136: hinge bracket    -   137: hinge bracket    -   138: hinge pin    -   140: first rotational movement operating portion    -   141: second rotational movement operating portion    -   142: third rotational movement operating portion    -   150: rotational movement operating portion    -   151: engagement member    -   152: biasing member    -   153: protruding portion    -   160: magnet    -   161: magnet    -   180: engagement member    -   181: biasing member    -   A: axis    -   B: axis    -   C: axis    -   E edge of cover    -   H1: engagement margin of convex portion and concave portion    -   H2: engagement margin of convex portion and concave portion    -   P1: locked position    -   P2: unlocked position    -   T1: thickness of sliding contact plate    -   T2: thickness of sliding contact plate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B are an example of an imaging apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention.

A digital camera 10 as the imaging apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1Bincludes a main body 12 having an imaging element 11 such as a chargecoupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, a display 13, and a hinge unit thatmovably connects the display 13 to the main body 12.

The display 13 includes a display panel 15 such as a liquid crystal ororganic EL, and a cover 16 having a window for exposing the displayregion of the display panel 15 formed thereon, and is formed in asubstantially rectangular shape when the display panel 15 is seen fromthe front. The rear surface of the main body 12 is provided with aconcave portion 17 formed in a substantially rectangular shape similarlyto the display 13, and the display 13 is received in the concave portion17 and is disposed along the rear surface of the main body 12.

The concave portion 17 is open to the bottom of the main body 12 and onelateral side of the main body 12. The lateral side of one long side 13 aand the lateral side of one short side 13 b among four lateral sides ofthe display 13 are exposed in a state where the display 13 is receivedin the concave portion 17.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the hinge unit of the present exampleconnects the display 13 to the main body 12 so as to be rotationallymovable about an axis A (first axis) extending along the long side 13 aof the display 13, and to be rotationally movable about an axis B(second axis) which is substantially at right angles to the axis A andextends along a short side 13 d of the display 13. Meanwhile, themeaning that the axis A and the axis B extend “along” the sides of thedisplay 13 refers to the meaning that the axis A and the axis B areparallel to the sides of the display 13 without being away from thesides.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the hinge unit of the digital camera 10.

A hinge unit 14 includes a fixed portion 20 which is fixed to the bottomof the concave portion 17 of the main body 12, and a support portion 21that supports the display 13.

The fixed portion 20 is provided with a pair of hinge brackets 30 whichare disposed on the axis A, and the support portion 21 is provided witha pair of hinge brackets 31 which are superimposed on the hinge brackets30 in the axial direction of the axis A. The hinge bracket 30 and thehinge bracket 31 superimposed on each other are coupled to each other bya hinge pin 32 so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

A first hinge 23 which is disposed on the axis A is constituted thehinge bracket 30, the hinge bracket 31 and the hinge pin 32. The supportportion 21 is connected to the main body 12 through the fixed portion 20so as to be rotationally movable about the axis A by a pair of firsthinges 23 on the axis A.

The support portion 21 is provided with a pair of hinge brackets 33which are disposed on the axis B, and the display 13 is provided with apair of hinge brackets 34 which are superimposed on the hinge brackets33 in the axial direction of the axis B. The hinge bracket 33 and thehinge bracket 34 superimposed on each other are coupled by a hinge pin35 so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

A second hinge 24 which is disposed on the axis B is constituted by thehinge bracket 33, the hinge bracket 34 and the hinge pin 35. The display13 is supported by the support portion 21 so as to be rotationallymovable about the axis B by a pair of second hinges 24 on the axis B.

According to the hinge unit 14, the display 13 is rotationally movedabout the axis A integrally with the support portion 21 of the hingeunit 14, and is independently rotationally moved about the axis B.

The pair of first hinges 23 on the axis A are disposed on both ends ofthe long side 13 a of the display 13, respectively, along which the axisA extends, and have an improvement in further stability of therotational movement of the display 13 about the axis A than in a casewhere the pair of first hinges 23 are disposed adjacent to each other.

Similarly, the pair of second hinges 24 on the axis B are disposed onboth ends of the short side 13 d of the display 13, respectively, alongwhich the axis B extends, and have an improvement in further stabilityof the rotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B than in acase where the pair of second hinges 24 are disposed adjacent to eachother.

In a state where the display 13 is received in the concave portion 17and is disposed along the rear surface of the main body 12, the hingeunit 14 is covered with the cover 16 of the display 13, and is notexposed to the outward appearance of the digital camera 10. The hingeunit 14 is not exposed to the outward appearance of the digital camera10, and thus it is possible to improve the design of the digital camera10.

FIG. 4A schematically shows the disposition of the pair of first hinges23 and the pair of second hinges 24 of the hinge unit 14, and FIG. 4Bschematically shows a trajectory of the hinge unit 14 when the hingeunit 14 is rotationally moved about the axis B of the pair of secondhinges 24.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the hinge unit 14 of the presentexample, one first hinge 23 of the pair of first hinges 23 on the axis Awhich is located closer to the axis B is disposed between the pair ofsecond hinges 24 on the axis B. In the drawings, the frame of adashed-two dotted line shows the outer circumference of the cover 16when the display panel 15 of the display 13 is seen from the front.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B show a case where the first hinge 23located closer to the axis B is disposed away from between the pair ofsecond hinges 24.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a case where the first hinge 23 located closer tothe axis B is disposed away from between the pair of second hinges 24 inthe axial direction of the axis B, and the axis A and the axis Bintersect each other on the outer side of the pair of second hinges 24.In this case, the outer circumferences of the hinge unit 14 and thecover 16 that covers the hinge unit 14 are extended, as cross-hatched inthe drawings, in the axial direction of the axis B with respect to theouter circumferences of the hinge unit 14 and the cover 16 shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a case where the first hinge 23 located closer tothe axis B is disposed away from between the pair of second hinges 24 inthe axial direction of the axis A, and the axis A and the axis Bintersect each other on the outer side of the pair of first hinges 23,that is, the pair of first hinges 23 are disposed on one side of theaxis B in the axial direction of the axis A. In this case, the outercircumferences of the hinge unit 14 and the cover 16 that covers thehinge unit 14 are extended, as cross-hatched in the drawings, in theaxial direction of the axis A with respect to the outer circumferencesof the hinge unit 14 and the cover 16 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a case where the first hinge 23 located closer tothe axis B is disposed away from between the pair of second hinges 24 inthe axial direction of the axis A, and the axis A and the axis Bintersect each other between the pair of first hinges 23, that is, onefirst hinge 23 located closer to the axis B is disposed on the oppositeside to the other first hinge 23 with the axis B interposedtherebetween. In this case, the outer circumference of the cover 16 thatcovers the hinge unit 14 is equivalent to the outer circumference of thecover 16 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

However, one first hinge 23 located closer to the axis B is disposed onthe opposite side to the other first hinge 23 with the axis B interposedtherebetween, and thus the first hinge 23 located closer to the axis Bis revolved about the axis B toward the bottom of the concave portion 17of the main body 12, in association with the rotational movement of thedisplay 13 about the axis B. The first hinge 23 located closer to theaxis B is disposed away from between the pair of second hinges 24 in theaxial direction of the axis A and thus leads to an increase inrevolution radius. For this reason, the bottom of the concave portion 17of the main body 12 is required to have a clearance groove for avoidinginterference with the first hinge 23.

In this manner, one first hinge 23 of the pair of first hinges 23 whichis located closer to the axis B is disposed between the pair of secondhinges 24, and thus it is possible to reduce the size of the hinge unit14.

Next, description will be given of various modification examples of thedigital camera 10 having an improvement in the rotational movementoperability of the display 13 which is rotationally moved about the axisA integrally with the support portion 21 of the hinge unit 14 and isindependently rotationally moved about the axis B.

In examples shown in FIGS. 8, 9A and 9B, a first rotational movementoperating portion 40 and a second rotational movement operating portion41 are included.

The first rotational movement operating portion 40 is provided to thesupport portion 21 of the hinge unit 14, and is disposed away from theaxis A on a long side 13 c located opposite to the long side 13 a of thedisplay 13 along which the axis A extends. The first rotational movementoperating portion 40 is provided so as to be exposed to the outercircumference of the display 13 in a state where a portion of the cover16 of the display 13 that covers the hinge unit 14 is cut out, and isconstituted by a small piece-shaped protrusion capable of having afinger hooked thereon.

The second rotational movement operating portion 41 is provided to thedisplay 13, and is disposed away from the axis B on the short side 13 blocated opposite to the short side 13 d of the display 13 along whichthe axis B extends. The second rotational movement operating portion 41is also constituted by a small piece-shaped protrusion capable of havinga finger hooked thereon.

In a case where the first rotational movement operating portion 40 islifted up, the support portion 21 of the hinge unit 14 provided with thefirst rotational movement operating portion 40 is rotationally movedabout the axis A, and the display 13 supported by the support portion 21is also rotationally moved about the axis A integrally with the supportportion 21. In a case where the second rotational movement operatingportion 41 is lifted up, the display 13 provided with the secondrotational movement operating portion 41 is independently rotationallymoved about the axis B. Thereby, the display 13 is prevented from beingerroneously operated in its rotational movement about each of the axis Aand the axis B, and thus it is possible to improve the rotationalmovement operability of the display 13.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, FIGS. 9A and 9B, individual rotationalmovement operating portions are provided for the rotational movement ofthe display 13 about the axis A and the rotational movement of thedisplay about the axis B, respectively, but examples shown in FIGS. 10,11A and 11B show one rotational movement operating portion 50 which issimplified.

The rotational movement operating portion 50 is provided to the display13, and is disposed away from the axis B on the short side 13 b locatedopposite to the short side 13 d of the display 13 along which the axis Bextends.

The rotational movement operating portion 50 includes an engagementmember 51 and a biasing member 52. The engagement member 51 is supportedby the cover 16 of the display 13 so as to be movable between a lockedposition P1 engaged with the support portion 21 of the hinge unit 14 andan unlocked position P2 released from engagement with the supportportion 21. The direction of movement from the locked position P1 of theengagement member 51 to the unlocked position P2 may be parallel to theaxial direction of the axis A, and may be parallel to the axialdirection of the axis B, which has no particular limitation thereon. Thebiasing member 52 biases the engagement member 51 toward the lockedposition P1.

The engagement member 51 is provided with a small piece-shapedprotruding portion 53 which is exposed to the outer circumference of thedisplay 13, and is capable of having a finger hooked thereon. By theoperation of the protruding portion 53, the rotational movementoperating portion 50 is lifted up, and the engagement member 51 is movedfrom the locked position P1 to the unlocked position P2.

In a case where the engagement member 51 is engaged with the supportportion 21 of the hinge unit 14 at the locked position P1, the display13 is integrated with the support portion 21. Since the support portion21 is not rotatable about the axis B with respect to the main body 12,the display 13 is rotatable only about the axis A in a state where theengagement member 51 is engaged with the support portion 21. The lateralside of one short side 13 b of the display 13 is exposed by the concaveportion 17 which is open to one lateral side of the main body 12. Forexample, in a state where a finger is hooked on the exposed lateral sideof the short side 13 b, the lateral side of the short side 13 b islifted up, and the display 13 is rotationally moved about the axis A.

In a state where the engagement member 51 is moved to the unlockedposition P2 and is released from engagement with the support portion 21,the display 13 is also rotatable about the axis B. In a case where therotational movement operating portion 50 is lifted up in this state, thedisplay 13 provided with the rotational movement operating portion 50 isindependently rotationally moved about the axis B. Thereby, the display13 is prevented from being erroneously operated in its rotationalmovement about each of the axis A and the axis B, and thus it ispossible to improve the rotational movement operability of the display13.

In each of examples shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14A and 14B, the initialtorque of rotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B is madelarger than the initial torque of rotational movement of the display 13about the axis A. Meanwhile, the initial torque of rotational movementof the display 13 about each of the axis A and the axis B refers to atorque required during initial movement when the display 13 disposedalong the rear surface of the main body 12 is rotationally moved in thedirection of separating from the rear surface of the main body 12.

In addition, the lateral side of one short side 13 b of the display 13is exposed by the concave portion 17 which is open to one lateral sideof the main body 12. In the present example, in a state where a fingeris hooked on the exposed lateral side of the short side 13 b, thelateral side of the short side 13 b is lifted up, and the display 13 isrotationally moved in the direction of separating from the rear surfaceof the main body 12.

The revolution radius of an operation region about the axis B on thelateral side of the short side 13 b becomes longer than the revolutionradius thereof about the axis A. Consequently, the initial torque ofrotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B is maderelatively large, and thus an operation load during the rotationalmovement of the display 13 about the axis B can be made substantiallyequal to an operation load during the rotational movement of the displayabout the axis A, or can be made larger than an operation load duringthe rotational movement of the display about the axis A. Thereby, thedisplay 13 is prevented from being carelessly rotationally moved aboutthe axis B, and thus it is possible to improve the rotational movementoperability of the display 13.

In an example shown in FIG. 12, a pair of magnets are included.

One magnet 60 is provided to the support portion 21 of the hinge unit14, and the other magnet 61 is provided to the display 13. The magnet 60and the magnet 61 are disposed away from the axis B on the short side 13b located opposite to the short side 13 d of the display 13 along whichthe axis B extends, and are disposed so that magnetic poles differentfrom each other face each other.

The display 13 is adsorptively fixed to the support portion 21 due to anattractive force which is generated between the magnet 60 and the magnet61. Since the magnet 60 and the magnet 61 are disposed away from theaxis B on the short side 13 b located opposite to the short side 13 d ofthe display 13 along which the axis B extends, the initial torque ofrotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B is increased dueto the attractive force between magnet 60 and the magnet 61. A torqueabout the axis B based on the attractive force between the magnet 60 andthe magnet 61 is appropriately adjusted depending on surface magneticflux density and facing interval between the magnet 60 and the magnet61, and a distance between the magnets 60 and 61 and the axis B, and theinitial torque of rotational movement of the display 13 about the axis Bis set to be larger than the initial torque of rotational movement ofthe display about the axis A.

Preferably, the magnet 60 and the magnet 61 are provided adjacent to theshort side 13 b located opposite to the short side 13 d of the display13 along which the axis B extends so that the attractive force betweenthe magnet 60 and the magnet 61 effectively acts as a torque about theaxis B.

Further, when the display 13 rotationally moved about the axis B in thedirection of separating from the rear surface of the main body 12 isrotationally moved again in a direction along the rear surface of themain body 12, the attractive force between the magnet 60 and the magnet61 also acts so as to attract the display 13 to the rear surface of themain body 12. The display 13 rotationally moved up to the vicinity ofthe rear surface of the main body 12 is attracted to the rear surface ofthe main body 12 due to the attractive force between the magnet 60 andthe magnet 61, and is automatically disposed at a proper position alongthe rear surface of the main body 12. Thereby, it is possible to furtherimprove the rotational movement operability of the display 13.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 13, when the main body 12 is provided with amagnet 62, and the display 13 rotationally moved about the axis A in thedirection of separating from the rear surface of the main body 12 isrotationally moved again in a direction along the rear surface of themain body 12 due to an attractive force which is generated between themagnet 62 provided to the support portion 21 of the hinge unit 14 andthe magnet 60, the display 13 may be attracted to the rear surface ofthe main body 12. In this case, from the viewpoint that the initialtorque of rotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B is maderelatively large, the attractive force between the magnet 60 and themagnet 62 is set to be smaller than the attractive force between magnet60 and the magnet 61, and thus, for example, the surface magnetic fluxdensity of the magnet 62 becomes smaller than the surface magnetic fluxdensity of the magnet 61, or the facing interval between the magnet 60and magnet 62 becomes larger than the facing interval between the magnet60 and the magnet 61.

The attraction of the display 13 to the rear surface of the main body 12can also be performed by a click mechanism giving a click feeling to therotational movement operation of the display 13, and the initial torqueof rotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B can also bemade relatively large using this click mechanism.

In the example shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the first hinge 23 and thesecond hinge 24 are each provided with a click mechanism.

The click mechanism of the first hinge 23 includes a sliding contactplate 70, provided adjacent to the hinge bracket 31 of the supportportion 21 constituting the first hinge 23, which is fixed to the hingepin 32. The hinge bracket 31 is provided with a convex portion 71, andthe sliding contact plate 70 is provided with a concave portion 72. Theconvex portion 71 and the concave portion 72 are engaged with each otherin a state where the display 13 is disposed along the rear surface ofthe main body 12. Meanwhile, the hinge bracket 31 may be provided with aconcave portion, and the sliding contact plate 70 may be provided with aconvex portion.

In a case where the display 13 disposed along the rear surface of themain body 12 is rotationally moved about the axis A in the direction ofseparating from the rear surface of the main body 12, the supportportion 21 is also rotationally moved integrally with the display 13,the hinge bracket 31 and the sliding contact plate 70 are rotationallymoved relative to each other, and the engagement of the convex portion71 with the concave portion 72 is released. In a case where the display13 is rotationally moved again in a direction along the rear surface ofthe main body 12, the convex portion 71 and the concave portion 72 areengaged with each other, the display 13 is attracted to the rear surfaceof the main body 12 in the process of the engagement of the convexportion 71 with the concave portion 72, and a click feeling is generatedat a timing when the engagement of the convex portion 71 with theconcave portion 72 is completed.

The click mechanism of the second hinge 24 includes a sliding contactplate 73, provided adjacent to the hinge bracket 34 of the display 13constituting the second hinge 24, which is fixed to the hinge pin 35.The hinge bracket 34 is provided with a convex portion 74, and thesliding contact plate 73 is provided with a concave portion 75. Theconvex portion 74 and the concave portion 75 are engaged with each otherin a state where the display 13 is disposed along the rear surface ofthe main body 12. Meanwhile, the hinge bracket 34 may be provided with aconcave portion, and the sliding contact plate 73 may be provided with aconvex portion.

In a case where the display 13 disposed along the rear surface of themain body 12 is rotationally moved about the axis B in the direction ofseparating from the rear surface of the main body 12, the hinge bracket34 and the sliding contact plate 73 are rotationally moved relative toeach other, and the engagement of the convex portion 74 with the concaveportion 75 is released in association with the elastic bending of thesliding contact plate 73. In a case where the display 13 is rotationallymoved again in a direction along the rear surface of the main body 12,the convex portion 74 and the concave portion 75 are engaged with eachother, the display 13 is attracted to the rear surface of the main body12 in the process of the engagement of the convex portion 74 with theconcave portion 75, and a click feeling is generated at a timing whenthe engagement of the convex portion 74 with the concave portion 75 iscompleted.

In the click mechanism of the first hinge 23 described above, thesliding contact plate 70 is elastically bent when the engagement of theconvex portion 71 with the concave portion 72 is released, and a forcerequired for the deformation of the sliding contact plate 70 is set tothe initial torque of rotational movement of the display 13 about theaxis A. Similarly, in the click mechanism of the second hinge 24, thesliding contact plate 73 is elastically bent when the engagement of theconvex portion 74 with the concave portion 75 is released, and a forcerequired for the deformation of the sliding contact plate 73 is set tothe initial torque of rotational movement of the display 13 about theaxis B.

Consequently, for example, an engagement margin H2 between the convexportion 74 and the concave portion 75 of the click mechanism of thesecond hinge 24 is made larger than an engagement margin H1 between theconvex portion 71 and the concave portion 72 of the click mechanism ofthe first hinge 23, and thus the initial torque of rotational movementof the display 13 about the axis B can be made relatively large. Inaddition, a thickness T2 of the sliding contact plate 73 of the clickmechanism of the second hinge 24 is made larger than a thickness T1 ofthe sliding contact plate 70 of the click mechanism of the first hinge23, and thus the initial torque of rotational movement of the display 13about the axis B can also be made relatively large.

Examples shown in FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B show that, in a case where thedisplay 13 is rotationally moved about the axis B, the display 13 isprevented from being rotationally moved about the axis A.

The concave portion 17 of the main body 12 having the display 13received therein is provided with an engagement member 80 and a biasingmember 81. The engagement member 80 is disposed on a revolutiontrajectory about the axis B of an edge E of the cover 16 constitutingthe lateral side of the short side 13 d of the display 13 along whichthe axis B extends, and is pressed by the edge E of the cover 16 whenthe display 13 disposed along the rear surface of the main body 12 isrotationally moved about the axis B in the direction of separating fromthe rear surface of the main body 12.

The engagement member 80 is supported by the main body 12 so as to bemovable in a pressing direction between the locked position P1 at whichthe support portion 21 is fixed to the main body 12 by engagement withthe support portion 21 of the hinge unit 14 and the unlocked position P2released from the engagement with the support portion 21. The biasingmember 81 biases the engagement member 80 toward the unlocked positionP2.

In a state where the engagement member 80 is released from theengagement with support portion 21 of the hinge unit 14 at the unlockedposition P2, the display 13 is rotatable about each of the axis A andthe axis B. The lateral side of one short side 13 b of the display 13 isexposed by the concave portion 17 which is open to one lateral side ofthe main body 12. For example, the lateral side of the short side 13 bis lifted up in a state where a finger is hooked on the exposed lateralside of the short side 13 b, and the display 13 is rotationally movedabout the axis A or the axis B.

In a case where the display 13 is rotationally moved about the axis B,the engagement member 80 is moved to the locked position P1 due topressure by the edge E of the cover 16 of the display 13, and engageswith the support portion 21 of the hinge unit 14. The support portion 21is fixed to the main body 12 by the engagement of the engagement member80 with the support portion 21, the support portion 21 is prevented frombeing rotationally moved about the axis A, and the display 13 is alsoprevented from being rotationally moved about the axis A.

In this manner, in a case where the display 13 is rotationally movedabout the axis B, the unnecessary rotational movement of the display 13is eliminated by preventing the display 13 from being rotationally movedabout the axis A, and thus it is possible to improve the rotationalmovement operability of the display 13.

FIGS. 17A to 17C show another example of an imaging apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. Meanwhile, common componentswith respect to those of the above-described digital camera 10 aredenoted by common reference numerals and signs, and thus the descriptionthereof will be omitted or simplified.

A digital camera 110 as an imaging apparatus shown in FIGS. 17A to 17Cincludes a main body 12 having an imaging element, a display 13, and ahinge unit. The hinge unit movably connects the display 13 to the mainbody 12. In the present example, the hinge unit connects the display 13to the main body 12 so as to be rotationally movable about an axis A(first axis) extending along the long side 13 a of the display 13, to berotationally movable about an axis B (third axis) which is substantiallyat right angles to the axis A and extends along the short side 13 d ofthe display 13, and to be rotationally movable about an axis C (secondaxis) parallel to the axis A which is biased toward the long side 13 cof the display 13 with respect to the axis A.

FIG. 18 shows a configuration of the hinge unit of the digital camera110.

A hinge unit 114 includes a fixed portion 120 which is fixed to thebottom of the concave portion 17 of the main body 12, and a firstsupport portion 121 and a second support portion 122 that support thedisplay 13.

The fixed portion 120 is provided with a pair of hinge brackets 130which are disposed on the axis A, and the first support portion 121 isprovided with a pair of hinge brackets 131 which are superimposed on thehinge brackets 130 in the axial direction of the axis A. The hingebracket 130 and the hinge bracket 131 which are superimposed on eachother are coupled by a hinge pin 132 so as to be rotatable relative toeach other.

A first hinge 123 disposed on the axis A is constituted by the hingebracket 130, the hinge bracket 131 and the hinge pin 132. The firstsupport portion 121 is connected to the main body 12 through the fixedportion 120 so as to be rotationally movable about the axis A by a pairof first hinges 123 on the axis A.

The first support portion 121 is provided with a pair of hinge brackets133 which are disposed on the axis C, and the second support portion 122is provided with a pair of hinge brackets 134 which are superimposed onthe hinge brackets 133 in the axial direction of the axis C. The hingebracket 133 and the hinge bracket 134 which are superimposed on eachother are coupled by a hinge pin 135 so as to be rotatable relative toeach other.

A second hinge 124 which is disposed on the axis C is constituted by thehinge bracket 133, the hinge bracket 134 and the hinge pin 135. Thesecond support portion 122 is supported by the first support portion 121so as to be rotationally movable about the axis C by a pair of secondhinges 124 on the axis C.

The second support portion 122 is provided with a pair of hinge brackets136 which are disposed on the axis B, and the display 13 is providedwith a pair of hinge brackets 137 which are superimposed on the hingebrackets 136 in the axial direction of the axis B. The hinge bracket 136and the hinge bracket 137 which are superimposed on each other arecoupled by a hinge pin 138 so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

A third hinge 125 which is disposed on the axis B is constituted by thehinge bracket 136, the hinge bracket 137 and the hinge pin 138. Thedisplay 13 is supported by the second support portion 122 so as to berotationally movable about the axis B by a pair of third hinges 125 onthe axis B.

According to the hinge unit 114 described above, the display 13 isrotationally moved about the axis A integrally with the first supportportion 121 and the second support portion 122 of the hinge unit 14, isrotationally moved about the axis C integrally with the second supportportion 122, and is independently rotationally moved about the axis B.

In a state where the display 13 is received in the concave portion 17and is disposed along the rear surface of the main body 12, the hingeunit 114 is covered with the cover 16 of the display 13, and is notexposed to the outward appearance of the digital camera 10. The hingeunit 114 is not exposed to the outward appearance of the digital camera10, and thus it is possible to improve the design of the digital camera10.

FIG. 19A schematically shows the disposition of the pair of first hinges123, the pair of second hinges 124 and the pair of third hinges 125 ofthe hinge unit 114, and FIG. 19B schematically shows a trajectory of thehinge unit 114 when the hinge unit 114 is rotationally moved about theaxis B of the pair of third hinges 125.

As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, in the hinge unit 114 of the presentexample, one first hinge 123 of the pair of first hinges 123 on the axisA which is located closer to the axis B and one second hinge 124 of thepair of second hinges 124 on the axis C which is located closer to theaxis B are disposed between the pair of third hinges 125 on the axis B.In the drawings, the frame of a dashed-two dotted line shows the outercircumference of the cover 16 when the display panel 15 of the display13 is seen from the front.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A and 22B show a case where one first hinge123 of the pair of first hinges 123 which is located closer to the axisB and one second hinge 124 of the pair of second hinges 124 which islocated closer to the axis B are disposed away from between the pair ofthird hinges 125.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show a case where the first hinge 123 and the secondhinge 124 which are located closer to the axis B are disposed away frombetween the pair of third hinges 125 in the axial direction of the axisB, and the axis A and the axis C, and the axis B intersect each other onthe outer side of the pair of third hinges 125. In this case, the outercircumferences of the hinge unit 114 and the cover 16 that covers thehinge unit 114 are extended, as cross-hatched in the drawings, in theaxial direction of the axis B with respect to the outer circumferencesof the hinge unit 114 and the cover 16 shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B.

FIGS. 21A and 21B show a case where the first hinge 123 and the secondhinge 124 which are located closer to the axis B are disposed away frombetween the pair of third hinges 125 in the axial direction of the axisA, the axis A and the axis B intersect each other on the outer side ofthe pair of first hinges 123, and the axis C and the axis B intersecteach other on the outer side of the pair of second hinges 124. In thiscase, the outer circumferences of the hinge unit 114 and the cover 16that covers the hinge unit 114 are extended, as cross-hatched in thedrawings, in the axial direction of the axis A with respect to the outercircumferences of the hinge unit 114 and the cover 16 shown in FIGS. 19Aand 19B.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show a case where the first hinge 123 and the secondhinge 124 which are located closer to the axis B are disposed away frombetween the pair of third hinges 125 in the axial direction of the axisA, the axis A and the axis B intersect each other between the pair offirst hinges 123, and the axis C and the axis B intersect each otherbetween the pair of second hinges 124. In this case, the outercircumference of the cover 16 that covers the hinge unit 114 isequivalent to the outer circumference of the cover 16 shown in FIGS. 19Aand 19B.

However, the first hinge 123 and the second hinge 124 which are locatedcloser to the axis B are revolved about the axis B toward the bottom ofthe concave portion 17 of the main body 12 in association with therotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B. The first hinge123 and the second hinge 124 which are located closer to the axis B aredisposed away from between the pair of third hinges 125 in the axialdirection of the axis A and thus lead to an increase in revolutionradius. For this reason, the bottom of the concave portion 17 of themain body 12 is required to have a clearance groove for avoidinginterference with the first hinge 123 and the second hinge 124.

In this manner, one first hinge 123 of the pair of first hinges 123which is located closer to the axis B and one second hinge 124 of thepair of second hinges 124 which is located closer to the axis B aredisposed between the pair of third hinges 125, and thus it is possibleto reduce the size of the hinge unit 114.

Meanwhile, a configuration has been described in which both the firsthinge 123 and the second hinge 124 which are located closer to the axisB are disposed between the pair of third hinges 125, but in a case whereat least one of the first hinge 123 or the second hinge 124 which islocated closer to the axis B is disposed between the pair of thirdhinges 125, it is possible to reduce the size of hinge unit 114.

Next, description will be given of various modification examples of thedigital camera 110 having an improvement in the rotational movementoperability of the display 13 which is rotationally moved about the axisA integrally with the first support portion 121 and the second supportportion 122 of the hinge unit 114, is rotationally moved about the axisC integrally with the second support portion 122, and is independentlyrotationally moved about the axis B.

In examples shown in FIG. 23, FIGS. 24A to 24C, a first rotationalmovement operating portion 140, a second rotational movement operatingportion 141, and a third rotational movement operating portion 142 areincluded.

The first rotational movement operating portion 140 is provided to thesecond support portion 122 of the hinge unit 114, and is disposed awayfrom the axis A on the long side 13 c located opposite to the long side13 a of the display 13 along which the axis A extends and on the axis Cbiased toward the long side 13 c with respect to the axis A, or isdisposed closer to the long side 13 c than the axis C. The firstrotational movement operating portion 140 is provided in a state where aportion of the cover 16 of the display 13 that covers the hinge unit 114is cut out and is exposed to the outer circumference of the display 13,and is constituted by a small piece-shaped protrusion capable of havinga finger hooked thereon.

The second rotational movement operating portion 141 is also provided tothe second support portion 122 of the hinge unit 114, and is disposedaway from the axis C on the long side 13 a of the display 13 along whichthe axis A extends. The second rotational movement operating portion 141is provided in a state where a portion of the cover 16 of the display 13that covers the hinge unit 114 is cut out and is exposed to the outercircumference of the display 13, and is constituted by a smallpiece-shaped protrusion capable of having a finger hooked thereon.

The third rotational movement operating portion 142 is provided to thedisplay 13, and is disposed away from the axis B on the short side 13 blocated opposite to the short side 13 d of the display 13 along whichthe axis B extends. The third rotational movement operating portion 142is also constituted by a small piece-shaped protrusion capable of havinga finger hooked thereon.

In a case where the first rotational movement operating portion 140 islifted up, the second support portion 122 of the hinge unit 114 providedwith the first rotational movement operating portion 140 is rotationallymoved about the axis A integrally with the first support portion 121,the display 13 supported by the second support portion 122 is alsorotationally moved about the axis A integrally with the first supportportion 121 and the second support portion 122. In a case where thesecond rotational movement operating portion 141 is lifted up, thesecond support portion 122 of the hinge unit 114 provided with thesecond rotational movement operating portion 141 is rotationally movedabout the axis C, and the display 13 supported by the second supportportion 122 is also rotationally moved about the axis C integrally withthe second support portion 122. In a case where the third rotationalmovement operating portion 142 is lifted up, the display 13 providedwith the third rotational movement operating portion 142 isindependently rotationally moved about the axis B. Thereby, the display13 is prevented from being erroneously operated in its rotationalmovement about each of the axis A, the axis C and the axis B, and thusit is possible to improve the rotational movement operability of thedisplay 13.

Here, in the shown example in which the axis C biased toward the longside 13 c located opposite to the long side 13 a with respect to theaxis A extending along the long side 13 a of the display 13 is providedto be spaced from the long side 13 c, the first rotational movementoperating portion 140 is provided so as to be exposed to the lateralside of the long side 13 c, preferably, as shown in FIG. 25. Insofar asbeing exposed to the lateral side of the long side 13 c, the firstrotational movement operating portion 140 may be provided so as to beexposed to the longitudinal central portion of the lateral side of thelong side 13 c, may be provided so as to be exposed to the longitudinalend of each lateral side of the long side 13 c and the short side 13 bat the corner between the long side 13 c and the short side 13 b, or maybe provided so as to be exposed to the longitudinal end of each lateralside of the long side 13 c and the short side 13 b at the corner betweenthe long side 13 c and the short side 13 d.

The first rotational movement operating portion 140 provided so as to beexposed to the lateral side of the long side 13 c slidably moves on thebottom of the concave portion 17 of the main body 12 when the display 13is rotationally moved about the axis C. Thereby, the edge E of the cover16 constituting the lateral side of the long side 13 c slidably moves onthe bottom of the concave portion 17 of the main body 12, and thus it ispossible to prevent the display from being rotationally moved about theaxis B due to friction against the bottom of the concave portion 17, andto further prevent the display 13 from being erroneously operated.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 23, and 24A to 24C, individual rotationalmovement operating portions are provided for the rotational movement ofthe display 13 about the axis A, the rotational movement of the displayabout the axis C, and the rotational movement of the display about theaxis B, respectively, but examples shown in FIGS. 26, 27A and 27B showone rotational movement operating portion 150 which is simplified.

The rotational movement operating portion 150 is provided to the display13, and is disposed away from the axis B on the short side 13 b locatedopposite to the short side 13 d of the display 13 along which the axis Bextends.

The rotational movement operating portion 150 includes an engagementmember 151 and a biasing member 152. The engagement member 151 issupported by the cover 16 of the display 13 so as to be movable betweena locked position P1 engaged with the second support portion 122 of thehinge unit 114 and an unlocked position P2 released from the engagementwith the second support portion 122. The direction of movement from thelocked position P1 of the engagement member 51 the unlocked position P2may be parallel to the axial directions of the axis A and the axis C,and may be parallel to the axial direction of the axis B, which has noparticular limited thereon. The biasing member 152 biases the engagementmember 151 toward the locked position P1.

The engagement member 151 is provided with a small piece-shapedprotruding portion 153 which is exposed to the outer circumference ofthe display 13, and is capable of having a finger hooked thereon. By theoperation of the protruding portion 153, the rotational movementoperating portion 150 is lifted up, and the engagement member 151 ismoved from the locked position P1 to the unlocked position P2.

In a case where the engagement member 151 is engaged with the secondsupport portion 122 of the hinge unit 114 at the locked position P1, thedisplay 13 is integrated with the second support portion 122. Since thesecond support portion 122 is not rotatable about the axis B withrespect to the main body 12, the display 13 is rotatable only about theaxis A and the axis C in a state where the engagement member 151 isengaged with the second support portion 122. The lateral side of oneshort side 13 b of the display 13 is exposed by the concave portion 17which is open to one lateral side of the main body 12. For example, in astate where a finger is hooked on the exposed lateral side of the shortside 13 b, the lateral side of the short side 13 b is lifted up, and thedisplay 13 is rotationally moved about the axis A or the axis C.

In a state where the engagement member 151 is moved to the unlockedposition P2 and is released from engagement with the second supportportion 122, the display 13 is also rotatable about the axis B. In acase where the rotational movement operating portion 150 is lifted up inthis state, the display 13 provided with the rotational movementoperating portion 150 is independently rotationally moved about the axisB. Thereby, the display 13 is prevented from being erroneously operatedin its rotational movement about each of the axis A, the axis C and theaxis B, and thus it is possible to improve the rotational movementoperability of the display 13.

In an example shown in FIG. 28, the initial torque of rotationalmovement of the display 13 about the axis B is made larger than theinitial torque of rotational movement of the display 13 about the axis Aand the initial torque of rotational movement of the display about theaxis C.

In addition, the lateral side of one short side 13 b of the display 13is exposed by the concave portion 17 which is open to one lateral sideof the main body 12. In the present example, in a state where a fingeris hooked on the exposed lateral side of the short side 13 b, thelateral side of the short side 13 b is lifted up, and the display 13 isrotationally moved in the direction of separating from the rear surfaceof the main body 12.

The revolution radius of an operation region about the axis B on thelateral side of the short side 13 b becomes longer than the revolutionradius thereof about the axis A and the revolution radius thereof aboutthe axis C. Consequently, the initial torque of rotational movement ofthe display 13 about the axis B is made relatively large, and thus anoperation load during the rotational movement of the display 13 aboutthe axis B can be made substantially equal to an operation load duringthe rotational movement of the display about the axis A, or can be madelarger than an operation load during the rotational movement of thedisplay about the axis A. Thereby, the display 13 is prevented frombeing carelessly rotationally moved about the axis B, and thus it ispossible to improve the rotational movement operability of the display13.

In the example shown in FIG. 28, a pair of magnets are included.

One magnet 160 is provided with the second support portion 122 of thehinge unit 114, and the other magnet 161 is provided with the display13. The magnet 160 and the magnet 161 are disposed away from the axis Bon the short side 13 b located opposite to the short side 13 d of thedisplay 13 along which the axis B extends, and are disposed so thatmagnetic poles different from each other face each other.

The display 13 is adsorptively fixed to the second support portion 122due to an attractive force which is generated between the magnet 160 andthe magnet 161. Since the magnet 160 and magnet 161 are disposed awayfrom the axis B on the short side 13 b located opposite to the shortside 13 d of the display 13 along which the axis B extends, the initialtorque of rotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B isincreased due to the attractive force between magnet 160 and the magnet161. A torque about the axis B based on the attractive force between themagnet 160 and the magnet 161 is appropriately adjusted depending onsurface magnetic flux density and facing interval between the magnet 160and magnet 161, and a distance between the magnets 160 and 161 and theaxis B, and the initial torque of rotational movement of the display 13about the axis B is set to be larger than the initial torque ofrotational movement of the display about the axis A and the initialtorque of rotational movement of the display about the axis C.

Preferably, the magnet 160 and the magnet 161 are provided adjacent tothe short side 13 b located opposite to the short side 13 d of thedisplay 13 along which the axis B extends so that the attractive forcebetween the magnet 160 and the magnet 161 effectively acts as a torqueabout the axis B.

Further, when the display 13 rotationally moved about the axis B in thedirection of separating from the rear surface of the main body 12 isrotationally moved again in a direction along the rear surface of themain body 12, the attractive force between the magnet 160 and the magnet161 also acts so as to attract the display 13 to the rear surface of themain body 12. The display 13 rotationally moved up to the vicinity ofthe rear surface of the main body 12 is attracted to the rear surface ofthe main body 12 due to the attractive force between the magnet 160 andthe magnet 161, and is automatically disposed at a proper position alongthe rear surface of the main body 12. Thereby, it is possible to furtherimprove the rotational movement operability of the display 13.

Meanwhile, as shown in the example shown in FIG. 13, when the main body12 is also provided with a magnet, and the display 13 rotationally movedabout the axis A or the axis C in the direction of separating from therear surface of the main body 12 is rotationally moved again in adirection along the rear surface of the main body 12 due an attractiveforce which is generated between the magnet 160 provided to the secondsupport portion 122 of the hinge unit 114 and the magnet of the mainbody 12, the display 13 may be attracted to the rear surface of the mainbody 12. In this case, from the viewpoint that the initial torque ofrotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B is maderelatively large, the attractive force between the magnet 160 and themagnet of the main body 12 is set to be smaller than the attractiveforce between the magnet 160 and the magnet 161.

In addition, in the digital camera 110, the first hinge 123, the secondhinge 124 and the third hinge 125 are also each provided with a clickmechanism shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, and the initial torque ofrotational movement of the display 13 about the axis B can be maderelatively large using the click mechanism.

In examples shown in FIGS. 29, 30A and 30B, the rotational movement ofthe display 13 about the axis A and the axis C is regulated in a statewhere the display 13 is rotationally moved about the axis B.

The concave portion 17 of the main body 12 having the display 13received therein is provided with an engagement member 180 and a biasingmember 181. The engagement member 180 is disposed on a revolutiontrajectory about the axis B of an edge E of the cover 16 constitutingthe lateral side of the short side 13 d of the display 13 along whichthe axis B extends, and is pressed by the edge E of the cover 16 whenthe display 13 disposed along the rear surface of the main body 12 isrotationally moved about the axis B in the direction of separating fromthe rear surface of the main body 12.

The engagement member 180 is supported by the main body 12 so as to bemovable in a pressing direction between the locked position P1 at whichthe second support portion 122 is fixed to the main body 12 byengagement with the second support portion 122 of the hinge unit 14 andthe unlocked position P2 released from the engagement with the secondsupport portion 122. The biasing member 181 biases the engagement member180 toward the unlocked position P2.

In a state where the engagement member 180 is released from theengagement with the second support portion 122 of the hinge unit 114 atthe unlocked position P2, the display 13 is rotatable about each of theaxis A and the axis B. In a case where the display 13 is rotationallymoved about the axis B in this state, the engagement member 180 is movedto the locked position P1 due to pressure by the edge E of the cover 16of the display 13, and engages with the second support portion 122 ofthe hinge unit 14. The second support portion 122 is fixed to the mainbody 12 by the engagement of the engagement member 180 with the secondsupport portion 122, the second support portion 122 is prevented frombeing rotationally moved about the axis A and the axis C, and thedisplay 13 is also prevented from being rotationally moved about theaxis A and the axis C.

In this manner, in a case where the display 13 is rotationally movedabout the axis B, the unnecessary rotational movement of the display 13is eliminated by preventing the display 13 from being rotationally movedabout the axis A and the axis C, and thus it is possible to improve therotational movement operability of the display 13.

As described above, according to the present specification, there isprovided an imaging apparatus comprising: a main body having an imagingelement; a rectangular display disposed along one surface of the mainbody; and a hinge unit that movably connects the display to the mainbody; wherein the hinge unit includes a support portion connected to themain body so as to be rotationally movable about a first axis by a pairof first hinges on the first axis extending along one of two sides ofthe display which are at right angles to each other, the display issupported by the support portion so as to be rotationally movable abouta second axis by a pair of second hinges on the second axis extendingalong the other of the two sides of the display which are at rightangles to each other, and one of the pair of first hinges is disposedbetween the pair of second hinges.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, the support portion includes a first rotational movementoperating portion, which is disposed away from the first axis and at oneside located opposite to one side of the display along which the firstaxis extends, and is provided so as to be exposed to an outercircumference of the display, and the display includes a secondrotational movement operating portion disposed away from the second axisand at one side located opposite to one side of the display along whichthe second axis extends.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, the display includes a rotational movement operatingportion disposed away from the second axis and at one side locatedopposite to one side of the display along which the second axis extends,and the rotational movement operating portion includes an engagementmember movable between a locked position at which the display isprevented from being rotationally moved about the second axis byengagement with the support portion and an unlocked position which isreleased from the engagement with the support portion, and a biasingmember that biases the engagement member toward the locked position.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, an initial torque of rotational movement of the displayabout the second axis is larger than an initial torque of rotationalmovement of the support portion about the first axis.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, the main body includes an engagement member movablebetween a locked position at which the support portion is fixed to themain body by engagement with the support portion and an unlockedposition which is released from the engagement with the support portion,and a biasing member that biases the engagement member toward theunlocked position, and the engagement member is pressed by the displayrotationally moved about the second axis in a direction of separatingfrom one surface of the main body and is moved to the locked position.

In addition, according to the present specification, there is providedan imaging apparatus comprising: a main body having an imaging element;a rectangular display disposed along one surface of the main body; and ahinge unit that movably connects the display to the main body; whereinthe hinge unit includes a first support portion connected to the mainbody so as to be rotationally movable about a first axis by a pair offirst hinges on the first axis extending along one of two sides of thedisplay which are at right angles to each other, and a second supportportion connected to the first support portion so as to be rotationallymovable about a second axis parallel to the first axis by a pair ofsecond hinges on the second axis biased toward one side located oppositeto one side of the display along which the first axis extends withrespect to the first axis, the display is supported by the secondsupport portion so as to be rotationally movable about a third axis by apair of third hinges on the third axis extending along the other of twosides of the display which are at right angles to each other, and atleast any one of one of the pair of first hinges and one of the pair ofsecond hinges is disposed between the pair of third hinges.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, the second support portion includes a first rotationalmovement operating portion which is away from the first axis and at oneside located opposite to one side of the display along which the firstaxis extends and is provided so as to be exposed to an outercircumference of the display, and a second rotational movement operatingportion which is disposed away from the second axis and at one side ofthe display along which the first axis extends and is provided so as tobe exposed to the outer circumference of the display, and the displayincludes a third rotational movement operating portion disposed awayfrom the third axis and at one side located opposite to one side of thedisplay along which the third axis extends.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, the first rotational movement operating portion isprovided so as to be exposed to one side located opposite to one side ofthe display along which the first axis extends on an outer circumferenceof the display.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, the display includes a rotational movement operatingportion disposed away from the third axis and at one side locatedopposite to one side of the display along which the third axis extends,and the rotational movement operating portion includes an engagementmember movable between a locked position at which the display isprevented from being rotationally moved about the third axis byengagement with the second support portion and an unlocked positionwhich is released from the engagement with the second support portion,and a biasing member that biases the engagement member toward the lockedposition.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, an initial torque of rotational movement of the displayabout the third axis is larger than an initial torque of rotationalmovement of the first support portion about the first axis and aninitial torque of rotational movement of the second support portionabout the second axis.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, the main body includes an engagement member movablebetween a locked position at which the second support portion is fixedto the main body by engagement with the second support portion and anunlocked position which is released from the engagement with the secondsupport portion, and a biasing member that biases the engagement membertoward the unlocked position, and the engagement member is pressed bythe display rotationally moved about the third axis in a direction ofseparating from one surface of the main body and is moved to the lockedposition.

In addition, in the imaging apparatus disclosed in the presentspecification, the display includes a cover that covers the hinge unit.

The present invention can be used in various imaging apparatuses inwhich a display is movably connected to a main body.

Hereinbefore, although the embodiments of the present invention has beendescribed, the embodiments are merely illustrative, and the presentinvention can be carried out in aspects in which various changes andmodifications are added to the embodiments without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. This application claimspriority from Japanese Application (JP2015-194236) filed on Sep. 30,2015, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An imaging apparatus comprising: a main bodyhaving an imaging element; a rectangular display disposed along onesurface of the main body; and a hinge unit that movably connects thedisplay to the main body; wherein the hinge unit comprises a supportportion connected to the main body so as to be rotationally movableabout a first axis by a pair of first hinges on the first axis extendingalong one of two sides of the display which are at right angles to eachother, the display is supported by the support portion so as to berotationally movable about a second axis by a pair of second hinges onthe second axis extending along other of the two sides of the displaywhich are at right angles to each other, and the imaging apparatusfurther comprises an adsorption mechanism by which the display isadsorptively fixed to the support portion or the display is adsorptivelyfixed to the main body through the support portion.
 2. The imagingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption mechanismcomprises a magnet provided at the display and a magnet provided at atleast one of the support portion and the main body.
 3. The imagingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption mechanism isconfigured to generate a first adsorption force between the main bodyand the support portion and generate a second adsorption force betweenthe support portion and the display, and the first adsorption force issmaller than the second adsorption force.
 4. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the support portion comprises a firstrotational movement operating portion, which is disposed away from thefirst axis and at one side located opposite to one side of the displayalong which the first axis extends, and is provided so as to be exposedto an outer circumference of the display, and the display comprises asecond rotational movement operating portion disposed away from thesecond axis and at one side located opposite to one side of the displayalong which the second axis extends.
 5. The imaging apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the display comprises a rotational movementoperating portion disposed away from the second axis and at one sidelocated opposite to one side of the display along which the second axisextends, and the rotational movement operating portion comprises anengagement member movable between a locked position at which the displayis prevented from being rotationally moved about the second axis byengagement with the support portion and an unlocked position which isreleased from the engagement with the support portion, and a biasingmember that biases the engagement member toward the locked position. 6.The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main bodycomprises an engagement member movable between a locked position atwhich the support portion is fixed to the main body by engagement withthe support portion and an unlocked position which is released from theengagement with the support portion, and a biasing member that biasesthe engagement member toward the unlocked position, and the engagementmember is pressed by the display rotationally moved about the secondaxis in a direction of separating from one surface of the main body andis moved to the locked position.
 7. An imaging apparatus comprising: amain body having an imaging element; a rectangular display disposedalong one surface of the main body; and a hinge unit that movablyconnects the display to the main body; wherein the hinge unit comprisesa first support portion connected to the main body so as to berotationally movable about a first axis by a pair of first hinges on thefirst axis extending along one of two sides of the display which are atright angles to each other, and a second support portion connected tothe first support portion so as to be rotationally movable about asecond axis parallel to the first axis by a pair of second hinges on thesecond axis biased toward one side located opposite to one side of thedisplay along which the first axis extends with respect to the firstaxis, the display is supported by the second support portion so as to berotationally movable about a third axis by a pair of third hinges on thethird axis extending along other of the two sides of the display whichare at right angles to each other, and the imaging apparatus furthercomprises an adsorption mechanism by which the display is adsorptivelyfixed to the support portion or the display is adsorptively fixed to themain body through the support portion.
 8. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the adsorption mechanism comprises amagnet provided at the display and a magnet provided at at least one ofthe support portion and the main body.
 9. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the adsorption mechanism is configured togenerate a first adsorption force between the main body and the supportportion and generate a second adsorption force between the supportportion and the display, and the first adsorption force is smaller thanthe second adsorption force.
 10. The imaging apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the second support portion comprises a first rotationalmovement operating portion which is away from the first axis and at oneside located opposite to one side of the display along which the firstaxis extends and is provided so as to be exposed to an outercircumference of the display, and a second rotational movement operatingportion which is disposed away from the second axis and at one side ofthe display along which the first axis extends and is provided so as tobe exposed to the outer circumference of the display, and the displaycomprises a third rotational movement operating portion disposed awayfrom the third axis and at one side located opposite to one side of thedisplay along which the third axis extends.
 11. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the first rotational movement operatingportion is provided so as to be exposed to one side located opposite toone side of the display along which the first axis extends on an outercircumference of the display.
 12. The imaging apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the display comprises a rotational movement operatingportion disposed away from the third axis and at one side locatedopposite to one side of the display along which the third axis extends,and the rotational movement operating portion comprises an engagementmember movable between a locked position at which the display isprevented from being rotationally moved about the third axis byengagement with the second support portion and an unlocked positionwhich is released from the engagement with the second support portion,and a biasing member that biases the engagement member toward the lockedposition.
 13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein themain body comprises an engagement member movable between a lockedposition at which the second support portion is fixed to the main bodyby engagement with the second support portion and an unlocked positionwhich is released from the engagement with the second support portion,and a biasing member that biases the engagement member toward theunlocked position, and the engagement member is pressed by the displayrotationally moved about the third axis in a direction of separatingfrom one surface of the main body and is moved to the locked position.14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least any oneof one of the pair of first hinges and one of the pair of second hingesis disposed between the pair of third hinges.
 15. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein, when the display and the support portionare positioned along the one surface of the main body, a virtualstraight line which interconnects the pair of first hinges and a virtualstraight line which interconnects the pair of second hinges intersectwith each other in a planar view from a direction perpendicular to theone surface of the main body.